Deadline looms for foreigners to make annual report with Bureau of Immigration

Foreigners resident in the Philippines have until March 1 to go a Bureau of Immigration office and complete their 2019 annual report.

BI Commissioner Jaime Morente has stressed that the reporting period is non-extendible. He also warned that non-compliance could result in fines or prosecution under the Alien Registration Act.

He also said that foreign residents are able to report at any of the BI’s field offices across the country, not only at its headquarters in Manila’s Intramuros. A full list of these is available on the bureau’s website [see link below].

The 1951 Alien Registration Act requires all BI-registered foreigners, who are holders of immigrant and non-immigrant visas, to make the annual report within the first 60 days of every calendar year.

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Immigration alien registration chief Jose Carlitos Licas said that all those affected should take and present their alien certificate of registration identity card (ACR I-Card) and pay a 300 peso annual report fee and 10 peso ‘legal research fee’ to the government.

“For those who are currently abroad, they shall make the report within 30 days from the date of their return to the country, provided they have valid re-entry permits,” he said.

In the case of children aged 14 years and below, it is the duty of their parent or guardian to make the report on their behalf.

Also exempted from appearing in person are senior citizens aged over 65. However, they are still required to pay the fees and fill out the form.

Mr Licas has previously urged all registered foreigners not to leave their visit to the BI until the last minute. “It has always been an issue that people file on the last few days of the annual report period, making the process burdensome for everyone,” he said.

“We are urging foreigners to avoid the deadline rush by making their report earlier.”

Application forms, guidelines and full information about the annual report is available on the BI’s website at www.immigration.gov.ph.